Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-11-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our regular correspondent.)

WASHINGTON, II. c., Nov. s, 1887
Among the prominent Democratic mem,
bers OF the House who have arrived at the
| Capital l may mention the Hon. Il. p,
| Bland, of Missouri, who is often referred Il
~ "Silver Bland" on account of the lead
ing part taken by him in the legislation
that authorized the coinage of the ''dollar
OF our daddies," and also because he is ON
all occasions the Steadtast friend and cham
pion of silver. Mr.. Bland gives his views
rs to the probable course of legislation in
the Fiftieth Congress. He thinks n com
promise tariff bill will pass, and that it will
| include the repeal of the tobacco tax he
believes that the tariff should be reduced
Sl0O, 600, 600 the free list should be large
ly increased and there should be a reduction
of duties on other imports. He thinks there
will be no financial legislation except in so
far rs tariff legislation affects the finances.
The question of changing the time of the
meeting of Congress, is again, rs we'll rs the
terms of the members, being agitated, and
there are numberless advocates in the af-
~ WI ptiiSA manu-, NhS uAS-
sentients can be counted ON ones fingers.
| have yet to see convincing reason why
Congress should meet, rs il does at present,
thirteen months after the election of its
members, but ON the contrary, there are
many grave objections TO the system now in
vogue, among which Il may mention that
congressman should come fresh from the
people that their successors should not be
elected until the incumbentS serve ont their
first term that the present custom Is an
tagonistic 10 the progressive spirit of the
age. Congress now meets on the first Mon
day in December, and before that body gets
fairly 10 work, an adjournment for the holi-
days is in order. Why should not Congress
men, like other elective officials, begin their
duties on the first of the year and be paid
per annum.
The theory OF States right has certainly
received substantial encouragement from
the decision of the United States Supreme
Court in the Chicago Anarchist eases, and
doubt NOT, if such a thing be possible that
the spirit of the great Calhoun hovered
iuhilautly over the historical AMI eventtul
scene that in a measure vindicated the con-
stitu,ionality of his distinctive doctrine of
the reserved rights of the States in the Fed
cral compast. But, however that may be,
| believe the verdict, on its merits, Is gen
orally apblauded rs just and righteous.
y young newspaper correspondent of this
city took advantage of the occasion to send
n sham internal machine" to Chief Justice
Matchmaking the impression that it was
a scheme the friends Of the Anarchists,
for revenge on the Court. The reckless
youth made sensation III the Capital hut
the sequel was his confinement in the
gloomy cell of the police station until bailed
out.
Earlier in the past week, Washington had
scare, caused by two Italian suspects from
New York who together with their effects
were given a fumigation and permitted to
depart. If any more ships supposed to be
infected with cholera arrive in New York
harbor the Government will uncercmo-
niously order them back from whence they
came.
4 Treasury clerk has caused no little per-
turbance in that department by inventing
new counting machine which. if it works
rs the experiment promises, will do the
work of six persons better than they can do
it. And that is what carries sorrow to the
souls of the charming 'countesses, large
number of whom are operating the old
machine at a compensation of from Sl.5O TO
s. per day. Nor will the enterprising in-
ventor be benefited pecuniarily, as he in
vented it while in Government service. So
he gets not cent for his ingenuity.
The air is full of rumors of coming Cab
met changes-whether untounded or not
your correspondent is unable to say-to the
effect that upon transfer of Secretary La
mar TO the Supreme Bench, Postmaster Gen
eral Villas will occupy the vacancy, while
the Wisconsin statesman will be succeeded
by Don. NJ. Dickinson, of Michigan. On
the other hand, it is said to be the Presi-
dents purpose to appoint prominent
Union General as Mr.. Lamars successor,
and if this be true. l believe his choice will
fall upon Gen. JcEn c. Black, Commission.
er of Pensions